Program Description
This program provides students with the opportunity to study subject areas relevant to health career programs at Northern College and affiliate partners and to instill an appreciation of the professional roles, responsibilities and academic requirements of health care disciplines. The goal of the program is to prepare men and women for their chosen health career program. Completing both semesters of this program successfully will provide the prerequisites for entry into the Bachelor of Science – Nursing, Practical Nursing, and Paramedic programs.

Career Opportunities
Graduates may find employment opportunities in public and private agencies and institutions including family homes, community-based services, residential and custody settings.

It is strongly recommended that students entering this program have access to the Internet. In this program, Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics will provide students with a solid background to satisfy the entrance requirements for Northern’s Nursing Baccalaureate, RPN, Paramedic, Massage Therapy and Medical Laboratory Technician programs.

A 3.0 GPA in this program is a requirement to be admissible to the BScN program.

PH1004 Human Biology I
This course will enable the student to develop a foundation in the fundamental concepts of Biological Sciences within the context of the human body. The student will study and explore Cell Biology, Genetics, Evolution and Microbiology with an emphasis on understanding the underlying concepts and principles and applying them to the human body. The student will also investigate future careers in health sciences and other high affinity fields and identify appropriate post-secondary programs to prepare for chosen career.

PH1014 Chemistry I
This course will enable students to deepen their understanding of chemistry through the study of atomic and molecular structure, chemical systems and equilibrium, electrochemistry, energy changes and rates of reactions, states of matter, solutions, and gases. These topics will have a strong health science emphasis and will provide students with a chemistry perspective of health and the human body.

PH1133 Mathematics for Health Sciences
By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to evaluate a variety of arithmetic and algebraic expressions and apply these principles to typical situations that arise in the health care fields. Concepts studied include numeracy fundamentals; systems of measurement and dimensional analysis; algebra, with an emphasis on analytical techniques; and evaluating systems of linear equations. Students will develop essential critical thinking and problem-solving skills through exposure to application problems, including dosage calculations, solution dilutions, concentrations, and pH.

PS1173 Introduction to Psychology
This course provides an introduction to selected concepts and theories of psychology including the history of and major trends in psychology. The human life cycle is studied in the context of theories, such as Piaget, Kohlberg and Erikson. Abnormal psychology is introduced. This course may also provide an introduction to the topics of conditioning and learning, cognition and creativity, intelligence, motivation and emotion, gender and sexuality, personality, social behaviour, and human relations.

PH2103 Critical Thinking / Problem Solving
Thinking/Problem Solving will enable the learner to assess the arguments of others by equipping them with the skills to assess the truth in claims put forward in support of a conclusion, and to assess the structure and consistency of the argument itself. The learner will also discover how to effectively construct arguments to advocate for their own positions. As a result, the learner will develop their ability to critique the claims of others, to understand and articulate their own opinions, and to make the best decision in a given set of circumstances. Learners will also gain insight in the values and ethics and the role this plays in the presentation of an argument. Topics covered will include epistemology, logic, recognizing, evaluating constructing arguments, as well as recognizing reasoning errors. Learners will also develop the skill of fair-mindedness.

Semester 2

PH2004 Human Biology II
This course will enable the learner to build upon the foundation of the fundamental concepts of Biological Sciences covered in Human Biology I. The learner will apply those concepts from their study of Cell Biology, Genetics, Evolution, and Microbiology to the study of the anatomy and physiology of the human body. In the context of the study of the various organ systems, the learner will be introduced to common pathologies with examples taken from current scientific research. The emphasis will be on understanding the underlying concepts and principles, and applying them to a diversity of body systems. The student will apply information learned within this course to their ongoing investigation of future careers in health sciences.

PH2024 Chemistry II
Chemistry II will enable the learner to build upon the foundation of the fundamental concepts of chemistry covered in Chemistry I. The learner will apply the concepts from Chemistry I to the study of organic chemistry and biochemistry. The focus is on the understanding of the chemical basis of life. Topics covered will include hydrocarbons, derivatives of hydrocarbons, and biochemistry. Connections are regularly made between the principles of organic and biochemistry covered in this course and the content of Human Biology I and II. Special emphasis will be placed on the application of these concepts to the health and biosciences.

PH2034 Physics
This course is a rigorous introduction to physics which will enable the student to develop a foundation in the fundamental concepts of physics. The student will apply critical thinking and problem-solving techniques to physics concepts related to the health science field. The student will conceptually and quantitatively study concepts including kinematics, forces, work, energy and power, fluids and pressure, nuclear physics, electrostatics, magnetism, waves and electromagnetic radiation. This course will provide the student with a physics based perspective of health and the human body.

PH2003 Mathematics for Health Sciences II
By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to understand and apply the core principles of probability and statistics. Concepts studied include populations and samples; sampling techniques; frequency distributions; skewness, location, and measures of central tendency; variance and standard deviations; probability calculations and distributions; the Empirical Rule; z-scores and the Central Limit Theorem. Students will use numerical methods along with graphs, charts, and tables to effectively describe data, calculate the empirical and theoretical probability of simple events using key rules of probability, and apply applications from the health care fields.descriptive and inferential statistics to

SW2023 Conflict Resolution/Mediation
This course takes a systematic approach to analyzing the elements of conflict and explores both the individual and systemic responses to it. Students will gain a solid foundation of negotiation skills and strategies, followed by an introduction to mediation as a viable response to conflict. Students will learn to identify, avoid, and resolve their own personal conflicts as well as assisting others as a neutral third party and to do so in an efficient and effective manner.